This year’s request for nominations was structured like the 2009
Report in that we continued to expand the scope of women recognized in
the report, who make leadership contributions throughout the ECP,
retail, supplier, lab, managed care and association landscape.

Readers were asked to make nominations per the following
categories: Executive Suite, Mentors, Rising Stars and Innovators. The
nomination form defined these as: Executive Suite—Candidates are women
who hold positions such as president, VP, CEO, CFO, CMO, CIO or COO that
guide their companies forward, inspire leadership among their teams and
peers and achieve high performance. Mentors—Candidates are women who
are team builders, developers of talent, who via example or education
successfully influence others to grow in their business or professional
acumen. Rising Stars—Candidates are women who are “up-and-comers” in
their careers and within their companies or arenas; sharp talents who
are on their way toward higher levels of responsibility and influence.
Innovators—Candidates are women who have initiated new product
developments or special programs in the arena of marketing, technology
or retail, who have spearheaded innovative business ideas or
enterprises.

The “Influential Women” process is not designed to be a vote or a
ranking. Nominations were reviewed and categorized by VM’s editors. The
“Chosen Because…” selections are drawn from the submitted nominations.
Honorees are listed alphabetically by category.
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